Whisky-news.com is a fully independent whisky website created in 2006 by a whisky enthusiast for the whisky enthusiasts, from novice to expert, with a huge collection of tasting notes, distillery presentations, whisky fair reports in Europe, reports about whisky from all over the world, and many more. It is also the leading site for whisky literature review. Updated almost daily and free from financial support from any whisky company.

Highland Park 1999 for the 10th Anniversary of TWA, The Whisky Agency, 51.7%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, slightly aromatic and smoky, with a light delicate peat smoke, some green apples and a light mineral influence. Rather subtle and very different from the BBR.
Taste: Oaky, intense, moderately complex, on candied orchards fruits, some smoke, a light peatiness, on heather honey, some quince jelly, melon and sea brine. The finish is rather long and on the same flavours.
Impression: Rounder, slightly more complex, but less subtle than the BBR. Thus, both of the same quality. It is nice to taste some nice and naked Highland Park
Rating: 15/20 FP:B2

Ardmore Legacy, OB, 40%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, light, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, some freshly cut flowers and vanilla.
Taste: Light, very floral, grassy to very grassy, slightly fragrant, on vanilla, honey and some honeydew melon. The finish is medium, smooth, floral, slightly fragrant and grassy, on honey, vanilla, and some freshly cut flowers.
Impression: A good, light, subtle and floral whisky. A rather unpeated Ardmore or is this a question of batch?
Rating: 12/20 FPA2

Glengoyne 28 YO for Travel Retail, OB, 46.8%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, round, slightly malty, with nice round floral flavours, lots of sultanas, on cinnamon sticks, some orange, tangerine and fudge. Very good and complex.
Taste: Initally very round, fruity, floral, and round, becoming more spicy over time and on rubber, fresh and burnt one. The rubber then dominates the whisky. The finish is long, rubbery, slightly bitter, woody and astringent, on burnt and fresh rubber, wood, sultanas and marmalade. Diluted, it becomes unpleasantly rubbery, bitter, tannic and astringent.
Impression: A whisky with a charming round and sherry nose, but then the rubber and the tannins kick in. A sherry monster. For the ones who do not mind drinking old wood sherry whiskies,
Rating: 10/20 FP:G1

14 Nov

Annandale Man O’Sword, OB, 61.6%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Peaty, mineral, slightly oily, with some grist, olive oil, dry and tarry peat smoke, some bitter and aromatic smoke, and freshly crushed barley. Very good.
Taste: Young, smooth, malty, peaty, with some freshly crushed barley, some pear drops, dry and slightly aromatic peat smoke, some tar and a mixture of mineral and vegetal oil. The finish is medium, tarry, dry, on aromatic and dry maritime peat smoke, some mineral oil and pepper.
Impression: A young and nicely made Annandale, moderately peaty and dry. From a single cask as well. It tastes younger than the Words. The peat smoke is very pleasant.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A4

Aultmore 16 YO Centenary, OB, 60%, B:1997. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Thick, nutty, floral, very round, with lots of soft leather and tannins, sultanas, cinnamon powder, nutmeg, and a touch of high grade rubber and coriander.
Taste: Rich, very round, mellow, on sultanas, cooked pineapples, old worn leather, cinnamon, some treacle, nuts and nutmeg. Complex. The finish is long, round to very round, floral, complex, on nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, precious leather, tannins, dried fruits some walnuts and a touch of cloves,
Impression: A very nice and round Aultmore, from an excellent sherry cask, with lots of leather, soft spices and some nuts. Well made and complex. Thank you Whisky.Auction
Rating: 16/20 FP:F1

Cragganmore 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Light to very light, subtle, very smooth, on pear juice, some light tarry smoke, artichoke and some herbs.
Taste: Light to very light, young, smooth, slightly floral, on juicy oaky, a light smokiness, some fudge and a hint of tar. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly smoky and floral, some orchard fruits, with a hint of tar, smoke and fudge.
Impression: A very nice fresh and slightly floral whisky, with a nice light smoky flavours. A style reminding me of some old Speyside whiskies.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

12 Nov

Oban Little Bay, OB, 43%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh to very fresh, light, elegant, on vanilla, orchard fruits and some almonds, toffee and light oaky flavours. Very good.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, spicy, light, nutty to very nutty, on green apples and some caramel. The finish is medium, floral, nutty, slightly spicy and oaky, on caramel, green apples and some hazelnuts.
Impression: A good smooth, nutty and slightly spicy whisky. Rather different from the 14 YO.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A2

Caol Ila Moch, OB, 43%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, tarry, peaty to very peaty, maritime, on dry peat smoke, seaweeds, some hemp rope, iodine and disinfectant. A good peated whisky.
Taste: Smooth, slightly light, peaty to very peaty, maritime to very maritime, smoky, salty, on iodine, seaweeds, tar, peat smoke, vanilla and some kippers. The finish is medium to long, salty, peaty, smoky, and maritime, on peat smoke, seaweeds, tar, iodine and some disinfectant.
Impression: Altough it taste like it has been reduced markedly, the quality of the whisky is good, with a nice maritime peat smoke. Rather salty and maritime. A good one.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A6

Ledaig 2002 Old Particular, 15 YO, Douglas Laing, 48.8%, B:2017, cask DL11755. Price:
Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Very peaty and tarry, light, clean, maritime, on hemp rope, iodine, bitter and slightly farmy peat smoke and some gentian.
Taste: Clean, very peaty and medicinal, with lots of iodine, dry and tarry peat smoke, some gentian, seaweeds and bandages, with light farmy flavours. The finish is long, tarry, ashy, very peaty and maritime, on bandages, iodine and seaweeds. Diluted, it becomes more rooty.
Impression: A very good and very peaty Ledaig that smells strong of the hospital disinfectant.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A7

Ledaig The Future of Whisky 2005, 12 YO, Elixir Distillers, 58.4%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round to very round, peaty, on nice round sweet sherry flavours, some seaweeds, iodine, light farmy flavours and candied fruits.
Taste: Round to very round, slightly sweet and farmy, on candied oranges and tangerine, some sultanas and dates. The peat seems rather discreet. The finish is medium to long, thick, intense, syrupy, farmy to very farmy, peaty, slightly maritime and iodine, on candied orange and tangerine and treacle.
Impression: A very nice and round Ledaig, very different from the Douglas Laing, less peaty, but also rounder, sweeter and fruitier.
Rating: 15/20 FP: E4

Nose Art Irish Single Malt 1991, Whisky Doris, 48.0%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Fresh to very fresh, intense, very fruity, with lots of blackcurrant, some orchard fruits and fresh mint. Very refreshing.
Taste: Fresh to very fresh, light, fruity, on blackcurrant, some candied grapefruits, mint and orchards fruits. The finish is medium to long, slightly oaky, with a touch of fudge and on the same flavours.
Impression: A very good, fresh and well balanced Irish single malt, with intense blackcurrant flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A1

Bravo Bourbon batch 30, 7 YO, Hotel Tango, 45%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very mellow and round, fruity to very fruity, well balanced, with lots of peach, on apricots, treacle, spices, vanilla custard, some exotic fruits and precious wood. Very pleasant.
Taste: Spicy, mellow, smooth, slightly peppery, on peach, apricots, porridge, vanilla, some papaya and ground pepper. The finish is medium to long, mellow to very mellow, balanced, spicy, rather complex, with various sweet fruits flavours, cinnamon and treacle.
Impression: A very balanced, mellow, and rather fruity bourbon, with a nice complexity.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C1

04 Nov

Heaven Hill, OB, 86 Proof, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Spicy, rich, peppery, mellow, very smooth, on treacle, cinnamon, pecan nuts and some almonds. Very good
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, rich, mellow, rather creamy, with some tobacco, eucalyptus, mint and starch. The finish is medium and on the same flavours,
Impression: A very nice Heaven Hill, pleasantly drinkable and spicier than the current production, with a noticeable dash of rye. Seems lower than 86 proof but very good!
Rating: 14/20 FP:C1

Very Old Irish Malt, Liquid Treasures, 49.6%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very fresh, light, slightly young, on green orchard fruits, some spices and pepper.
Taste: Fresh to very fresh, light, oaky, on juicy oak, green orchard fruits, some pepper and melon. The finish is medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: A very fresh and light Irish whisk(e)y and on green orchards fruits. Good, but no as complex, intense or rich, as the 24+ yo age statement Irish single malts I tried so far.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Singleton of Glen Ord 12 YO, OB, 40%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Bold, rich, complex, fruity, mellow to very mellow, on citrus, some melon, vanilla and exotic fruits.
Taste: Starchy, mellow, slightly malty and grassy, on husk, some smoked barley, vanilla, citrus and light flavours of exotic fruits. The finish is medium to long, creamy to very creamy, slightly citric, with some melon, banana and fudge. Diluted, it becomes creamier.
Impression: A very good, mellow, well balanced and rather creamy whisky.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C2

Singleton of Glen Ord 15 YO, OB, 40%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow to very mellow, citric, on grapefruits, vanilla, almonds, and light creamy flavours.
Taste: Mellow, citric, rather light, slightly smoky, with some coffee, roasted almonds, vanilla and grapefruits. The finish is medium, on the same flavours and slightly more coffee flavours. Slightly woody.
Impression: A nice mellow, rather light and citric whisky, with the wood starting to show off.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

29 Oct

Dailuaine 2001 Lotions and Potions, Wemyss Malts, 46.0%, B:2018, 300 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rich, spicy, grassy, malty, on honey, various spices, heather, some lemon curd and stewed fruits.
Taste: Spicy, rather rich, grassy and sweet, on honey, nice grassy flavours, some heather and lemon curd, as well as a touch of leather. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more lemony.
Impression: A good, grassy, spicy and rich Dailuaine, with a nice balance and complexity.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C1

Blair Athol 1998 Fruit Forager’s Basket, Wemyss Malts, 56.9%, B:2018, 213 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, sharp, spicy to very spicy, with some cloves, juniper, light soapy and fragrant flavours, as well as a hint of butter.
Taste: Floral to very floral, fragrant to very fragrant, slightly soapy, on pineapples, various spices, slight winey flavours and some heather honey. The finish is medium, rich, floral, rather spicy and on pineapples. Diluted, it becomes slightly creamy, spicier and more floral.
Impression: A very good floral Blair Athol, rather fragrant, with a rather spicy finish.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C1

Benromach 1977, OB, 56%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, rich, complex, floral, elegant, on polished wood, light malty and creamy flavours, as well as some quince and a touch of citrus.
Taste: Green, malty, complex, slightly citric, mellow, on wood spices, beeswax and honeycomb. The finish is medium, very round, and smooth, on honeycomb and beeswax, with some dry fruits.
Impression: A mellow and very round whisky, with lots of beeswax and honeycomb, and some dried fruits.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B1

Benromach 2009 Triple Distilled, 8 YO, OB, 50%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Light to very light, young, on varnish, vanilla, green almonds, and a hint of solvent.
Taste: Fresh, young, light, on varnish, on green orchard fruits, some green almonds and light grassy flavours. The finish is short to medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, there are some additional tobacco flavours.
Impression: A young, light and fresh whisky, with some varnish.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Irish Single Malt for The Whisky Exchange 1990, 27 YO, The Whisky Agency, 51.3%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, rich, complex, sweet, fruity to very fruity, on mango, peach, papaya and other exotic fruits. Lovely.
Taste: Floral, elegant, smooth, mellow, on melon, mango, papaya and other tropical fruits. The whole is rather light, but complex and subtle. The finish is medium to long, complex, rich, elegant, smooth and with light exotic fruits. Lovely. Diluted, it becomes bolder and heavier, with a hint of smoke. Impression: A very nice, light, subtle and floral whisky, with elegant exotic fruits flavours.
Rating: 17/20 FPC1

Springbank Art of Whisky for The Whisky Exchange, 24 YO, Elixir Distillers, 57.1%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, floral, rather light and slightly fragrant, on nice fruity flavours (melon, vanilla and some quince), as well as sharp spicy flavours. Very good and well balanced. Diluted, it becomes more on diesel smoke.
Taste: A rather special whisky, smooth, floral, with a floral peat smoke, some aromatic smoke, light grassy flavours and a touch of tar, as well as some alps bitter liqueur (Appenzeller). The finish is medium, floral, slightly smoky, salty and tarry, with some seaweeds, kipper and coconut. Diluted, it becomes smokier and bitter.
Impression: A rather special whisky, with a mixture of aromatic, smoky and maritime flavours. Not an easy one.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A3

20 Oct

Laphroaig 10 YO for Zehnder Zürich, OB, 43%, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Sooty to very soot, peaty, smoky, rather aromatic and rooty, slightly dry and nutty, on citrus (mainly grapefruits), soot, tar, and old leather. Very good!
Taste: Light, citric, complex, sooty to very sooty, peaty to very peaty, salty, dry, on seaweeds, seashells, sea salt, soot and tar. The finish is medium, rather light and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more woody and sooty.
Impression: A very good, complex, citric, peaty and sooty Laphoraig. I wish there was a cask strength version of that one, as the 43% and probably so evaporation, it is slightly weaker than I would like. An extremely rare bottling for the Switzerland. Drier, more peaty and slightly less fruity than the 10 YO bottled in the early 1970s.
Rating: 16/20 FP:DG5

Bunnahahbhain 27 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 48.4%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Round, floral, maritime, fresh, rather salty, slightly smoky, on vanilla, some melon, lemon zest and sea brine. Well balanced.
Taste: Round, fresh, mellow, rather complex and well balanced, slightly salty, with some tobacco, vanilla, honey, sea brine, a touch of citrus and seaweeds. Diluted, it improves markedly, becomes much more spicier, more intense, salty and with a touch of mineral oil. The finish is medium, salty, slightly maritime and spicy, on vanilla, with some tobacco, smoke, fish oil, almonds, and a touch of citrus.
Impression: A very good whisky that I found rather close when tasted neat, but that opens nicely with just a few drops of water.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Karuizawa The Imperial Purple (Murasaki) Geishas for the Whisky Exchange, 29 YO, Elixir Distillers, 58.6%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very complex, rich and floral, on precious wood, lacquer, cinnamon, some cloves, plums, polished furniture, some leather and berries. Excellent.
Taste: Rich, spicy, very complex, fruity to very fruity, elegant, on rich spices, exotic fruits, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, lacquer, precious woods, some dried fruits, sultanas and plums. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on cocoa, exotic fruits and plums, with a touch of smoke and dry leather. The finish is long to very long, rich, very complex, floral, round, mellow, rather fruity, on cocoa, exotic fruits, lacquer, dried fruits, exotic woods, some leather and a touch of peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes more on Swiss milk chocolate.
Impression: One of the best Karuizawa I have tasted and the best since several years. Extremely well balanced, fruity, elegant and very complex. Simply excellent. If you can afford it, do not hesitate. The content is at least as good as the label is nice.
Rating: 19/20 FP:G2

Brora 1976 61.1, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 63.6%, B:1989. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, dirty, farmy, waxy, slightly tarry and coastal, on peat smoke, some coal, light farmy flavours and lemon zest. More intense, oaky and heavier than the 1976 Douglas Laing.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, farmy, rooty, slightly oaky, peppery, tarry and sooty, initially on cooked pineapples before getting drier, peatier, more tarry and sooty over time, on citrus, oak spices and a hint of mustard. The finish is long to very long, peaty, rooty, oaky, slightly farmy, on dry and ashy peat smoke, oak spices, some liquorice roots, mustard and farmy flavours.
Impression: A very different Brora from the early 1970s, less subtle, more oaky and farmy. We are very close to the 1977 style, with its farmy, oaky and rooty flavours, while it seems peatier than most 1977.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A7

12 Oct

Lochside 23 YO, Cadenhead’s, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Grassy to very grassy, mellow, fruity, on tropical fruits, honey, freshly cut grass, light mineral flavours and some wax.
Taste: Very grassy and mellow, grainy, on cooked cereals, heather honey, peach, apricots, cinnamon and light waxy and mineral flavours. The finish is medium to long, rich, grainy, sweet, fruity, grassy to very grassy, on aromatic herbs, tropical fruits, some mango, wax and a touch of camphor. Diluted, it becomes more grainy.
Impression: A very grassy and mellow Lochside, rather waxy, on heather honey and exotic fruits. Very good! Is it really a single malt and not one of these Lochside blended at birth?
Rating: 17/20 FP:D2

Rosebank Unblended Single Malt, 15 YO, Zenith, 50%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very clean, sharp, intense, floral, on fresh floral flavours, some fragrance, citrus, vanilla, chamomile and a hint of smoke.
Taste: Light, clean, floral, slightly smoky and peaty, on rosewater, quince, apricots, and vanilla, with some floral fragrant flavours. Diluted, there is some cocoa coming through. The finish is medium, clean, floral, slightly fragrant and grassy, on honey, some vanilla, peach, apricots, light floral and fragrant flavours, and a hint of smoke.
Impression: A clean and light version of Rosebank, rather close on the nose, sweeter and fruitier on the palate.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Highland Park 1967 Mission, 35 YO, Murray McDavid, 40.1%, B:2002. Price:
Colour: Old Gold
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, smoky, peaty, slightly earthy and mineral, on heather honey, peat smoke, some melon, quince, Mirabelle, light metallic flavours, with some wax and camphor. Very good.
Taste: Smoky, resinous, slightly peaty, dry, smoky and earthy, on heather and peat smoke, some melon, tangerine, light mineral and aromatic flavours, as well as some dry woody spices. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on cocoa and coffee. The finish is medium to long, smoky, peaty, slightly waxy and aromatic, with some heather and peat smoke, a touch of tangerine, cocoa and roasted coffee beans. Diluted, it becomes slightly more resinous.
Impression: A nice resinous Highland Park, with a nice heather peat smoke, and slight woody flavours. An old style of Highland Park.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C3

10 Oct

Hibiki 21 YO, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Mellow, complex, rich, slightly peaty and smoky, on lacquer, exotic wood, almonds, some soft leather, plums, and exotic fruits. Very elegant.
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, slightly grainy and peaty, with some lacquer, exotic wood, plums, almonds, light spices, exotic fruits and a touch of peat. The finish is medium to long, mellow, complex, slightly spicy and grainy, with some stewed orchards fruits, lacquer, leather, exotic fruits and a hint of peat smoke.
Impression: A remarkable mellow and well-balanced blended whisky, that rolls on the mouth pleasantly and with a very pleasant light spicy and fruity influence from the Japanese oak (Mizunara).
Rating: 17/20 FP:G2

Kavalan King Car, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Clean, light, on freshly sawn wood, vanilla and some floral flavours, including rose.
Taste: Oaky, spicy, juicy, on mango and pear juice, juicy oak, some vanilla and various dried fruits. The finish is medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: A good whisky, rather juicy and round.
Rating: 12/20FP: C2

09 Oct

Macallan Gold Double Oak, OB, 40%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, smooth, slightly spicy and fruity, on dried fruits, some tangerine, orange and leather. Rather juicy and weak.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, spicy, juicy, malty, floral, round, on orchard fruits, juicy oak, some spices, cinnamon, melon and tangerine. The finish is medium, floral, oaky, rather light, on orchard fruits, some spices, melon and tangerine.
Impression: A rather good whisky, rather oaky and complex. Unfortunately the flavours are rather weak, certainly due its reduction to 40%. A few extra abv could really help.
Rating: 11/20 FP:D1

Macallan Edition N°4, OB, 48.3%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Oaky to very oaky, creamy, malty, spicy, on citrus, some cream, freshly sawn wood, dried fruits and spices. With a strong influence from the oak.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, floral to very floral, oaky to very oaky, on dried fruits, sultanas, leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, some cloves, orange, tangerine and marmalade. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, floral, creamy, spicy, on vanilla, some orange, sultanas, freshly sawn oak and berries. Diluted, it becomes rather tannic and slightly rubbery.
Impression: I really enjoyed the N°2 and N°3, as I found them as nicely made Macallan, intense and good value. This one is aged in a combination of 7 cask types, including 5 first fill. The presence of the first fill oak is very present, especially with regards to the oaky flavours, slightly too much to my taste.
Rating: 14/20 FP: E1

Kavalan Sherry Oak, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Winey to very winey, very vegetal, round, floral, on vegetal condiment, leather, some coleslaw and vinegar.
Taste: Round to very round, floral, vegetal to very vegetal, spicy, winey, on leather, tannin, vegetal condiment, some rubber, sultanas, and bitter orange. The finish is medium to long, tannic, rubbery, floral, spicy, rather bitter, on fudge, sultanas, tannins, fresh rubber, some inner tubes, marmalade, lacquer, wood polish, cinnamon and cloves. Diluted, it becomes more on fudge and more tannic.
Impression: A whisky with a strong and sherry dominated influence, with lots of tannins, vegetal condiments and some rubber. Not the easiest one. For the sherry freaks.
Rating: 11/20 FP:G1

Springbank 1995 3rd edition, 22 YO, Greedy Angels, 53.7%, B:2017, 200 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Oaky, sweet, slightly mineral and smoky, with some sea brine, citrus, light aromas of orange, tangerine and aromatic herbs. Rounder and sweeter than the 2nd edition.
Taste: Oaky, mellow, slightly smoky, and maritime, with some tobacco smoke, light sweet fruity and mineral flavours, leather and citrus. The finish is medium to long, oaky, slightly salty, on tobacco, soft spices, some citrus, light aromatic and mineral flavours, as well as some bitter orange. Diluted, it becomes slightly on bitter caramel.
Impression: A rounder, sweeter and more oaky version than the 2nd edition. While the second edition was only ex-bourbon casks, this one is a vatting of an ex-bourbon and an ex-sherry cask. I found the 2nd edition more elegant. Thank you Markus.
Rating: 15/20FP: D2

06 Oct

Domaine des Hautes Glaces Moissons, OB, 44.8%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very young, smooth and malty, grassy, with some freshly crushed barley, grass, and vanilla.
Taste: Very young, rough, on freshly grinded barley, barley dust and some orchard fruits. The finish is short, very malty, rough, with some orchard fruits and vanilla.
Impression: A whisky just about 3 years old, but it taste like a new make. Way too young to my liking.
Rating: 07/20 FP:A1

Domaine des Hautes Glaces Flavis 2010, OB, 56.0%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Winey, very malty and round, slightly nutty, rather fresh, with some grapes, spices and nuts.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, winey to very winey, malty, on grapes, fresh inner tubes, and berries. The finish is medium to long, very winey, rubbery, on grapes, freshly crushed barley and freshly burnt rubber.
Impression: More matured than the Moisson but dominated by strong winey and rubbery flavours.
Rating: 07/20 FP:G1

05 Oct

Fettercairn 28 YO, OB, 42%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, malty, starchy to very starchy, fruity to very fruity, on melon, vanilla, light spices and some aromatic herbs. Slightly weak.
Taste: Very mellow, juicy, grassy to very grassy, slightly spicy and salty, on freshly cut grass, aromatic herbs, honey, some grapefruits, melon, hops and vanilla custard. The finish is medium to long, rather complex and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier and with some tobacco.
Impression: A very good, grassy and rather complex whisky, but I wished it was bottled at a higher strength.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C1

Glenfarclas 2002 Family Cask, OB, 57.6%, B:2017, cask 3779. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very spicy, intense, floral to very floral, on high grade leather, tannins, intense spices, sultanas, tangerine, orange, sultanas, cocoa and some dark chocolate.
Taste: Round, spicy to very spicy, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, on toffee, spices, leather, cocoa, some roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate and a light fragrance. The finish is long, rather dry, moderately spicy and bitter, with some high-grade rubber, nuts, cocoa, leather and toffee. Diluted, it becomes drier and more bitter.
Impression: A very spicy Glenfarclas, intense, on leather, but also rather bitter and spicy. Not for the faint hearted.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G1

04 Oct

Springbank 1993 Cask Owner Fonseca Port Wood, OB, 50.9%, B:2014, cask 444, 274 bottles. Price: N.A.
Colour: Amber
Nose: Winey to very winey, round, sweet, on grapes, dried fruits, then some mineral peat smoke, sea brine and diesel smoke comes through. A complex whisky what needs times to lower the initial winey flavours and to get more mineral and smoky flavours coming through.
Taste: Winey, moderately sugary, mineral, salty and smoky, on mineral peat smoke, moderate Port winey flavours, some leather, orange, berries, and grapes. Diluted, it becomes more sugary. The finish is medium to long, mineral, salty, winey, slightly smoky, on dried fruits, grapes, some mineral and peaty smoke, leather, and brambles.
Impression: On the nose, it started on rather strong and winey Port Flavours and with time, the character of the whisky comes through. The whisky is pleasant mineral and smoky, and worked well with the Port Influence. In conclusion, a very good Port Matured Springbank. Thank you whisky.auction
Rating: 15/20 FP:G3

Springbank 1993 Sherry Cask Masterpieces, Elixir Distillers, 52.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, mellow, spicy, slightly maritime, farmy, peaty and smoky, with some aromatic slightly maritime smoke, old worn leather, orange and candied tangerine. Very good. The sherry influence is rather moderate.
Taste: Complex, rather smooth and mellow, slightly smoky, salty and peaty, with some citrus, sea brine, fudge, flint stone, et light sweet sherry influence. Very good and balanced. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier and peatier. The finish is medium to long, round, complex, moderately fruity and mellow, slightly sweet, mineral and smoky, with some sea brine, sultanas, toffee and a touch of marmalade.
Impression: Un well made Springbank, with a moderate sweet and fruity sherry influence that works well with the slightly maritime and mineral distillate.
Rating: 16/20 FP:F2

Springbank 12 YO Cask Strength, OB, 56.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Round to very round, malty, slightly rubbery, on fudge, vegetal condiments, some rubber and sea brine. Good, but not as complex, maritime or peaty than the 1993 Springbank.
Taste: Round, oaky, salty, slightly maritime and smoky, on fudge, toffee, sultanas, sea brine, sea salt, some tangerine, orange, red berries and a touch of smoke. The finish is medium, very round, pleasant, with round sherry influence, some seabrine, fudge, tangerine, a touch of smoke and leather.
Impression: A nice and round Springbank, smooth and pleasant to drink, but not as smoky or complex as the Masterpieces.
Rating: 14/20 FP:H2

Clynelish 1997, Spirits Shop Selection, 57.9%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Close to the ALOS, but rounder and fruitier.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, spicy, oaky, slightly waxy and mustardy, on humus, stable, pepper, farmyard, some lemon, various spices and a touch of orange. The finish is medium to long, citric, slightly woody, farmy and spicy, on oak spices, some orange and farmy flavours.
Impression: A good Clynelish, with a stronger oaky and farmy influence than the ALOS, but also slightly rounder and fruiter. A vatting of an ex-bourbon and ex-sherry cask.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G2

29 Sep

Jura 1988, OB, 53.5%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Dark brown
Nose: Floral, round, mellow, on apple tarts, spices, sweet winey flavours, brambles, cocoa, and sugar.
Taste: Rich, oaky, winey, thick, sugary, on thick and winey Port influence, sugar, burnt wood, cinnamon, cardamom, black liquorice and brambles. The finish is long, wine
y, mellow, rather intense, spicy and thick, on bramble, sugary Port winey flavours, burnt wood, some char and dark chocolate.
Impression: A Jura matured in small ex-bourbon casks, with a final maturation in ex-Tawny port wood. It is very dark in colour, rather intense and thick, with a strong Tawny port influence, brambles and some burnt wood. Very good and rather different from other Isle of Jura.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G2

Royal Brackla 2006 for Whisky Schiff Hallwilersee 2018, 11 YO, Signatory, 58.8%, B:2018, cask 310848.
Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, malty, floral to very floral, slightly spicy, on orchard fruits, almonds, vanilla and some green fruits. Well made.
Taste: Floral, smooth, intense, spicy to very spicy, grassy, on orchard fruits, green fruits, almonds, honey, and intense spicy flavours. The finish is medium to long, rich, round, intense to very intense, spicy, floral, with some almonds, vanilla, melon, oak spices, and pepper. Diluted, it remained intensely spicy.
Impression: An intense, spicy and floral Royal Brackla. It might not be the most complex one, but it is very well made and enjoyable. Thank you the Hermann brothers. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

24 Sep

Islay Distillery 25 YO, That boutique y whisky, 48.7%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty to to very peaty, tarry, sooty, dry, slightly aromatic, on dry tarry peat smoke, quite a lot of soot, light aromatic smoke and some lemon.
Taste: Mellow, peaty, tarry, slightly maritime, aromatic and woody, on a mellow peat smoke combining maritime and aromatic flavours, some citrus, leather and liquorice. The finish is medium to long, smoky, slightly peaty, salty and aromatic, on a very nice mellow peat smoke, some tar and soot, as well as light woody flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more maritime.
Impression: A very good whisky, with a complex, mellow and subtle peat smoke.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A6

Highland Park 14 YO Loyalty of the Wolf, OB, 42.3%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smoky, sweet, sour, on heather honey, gooseberries, some marmalade and baby vomit (?). Not the most pleasant.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, salty, maritime, slightly soapy and bitter, on bitter orange, honey, some spices and smoke The finish is medium, very oaky, slightly sour, on vanilla, some butter, bitter orange, spices, and baby vomit.
Impression: An oaky and sour expression of Highland Park for Travel Retail. No need to rush to an airport to get this one. The bottle is very nice though.
Rating: 09/20 FP:C3

Caol Ila For Ramseyer’s Whisky Connection, 8 YO, Signatory, 55.6%, B:2018, cask 314664. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very clean and peaty, smoky, slightly maritime, an intense, clean, and rather maritime peat smoke, an intense smokiness, with some sea brine, seaweeds, tar and hemp rope. Very good.
Taste: Clean, peaty to very peaty, tarry to very tarry, smoky to very smoky, on sea weeds, camphor, iodine, peat smoke, menthol and hemp rope. The finish is medium to long, intense, peaty, maritime, clean, peaty, on tarry hemp rope, seaweeds, camphor and some iodine.
Impression: It might be slightly young and not the most complex whisky; however, it is very well made, clean, with a very pleasant peat smoke, intense and tarry, with just a faint influence of the wood. Very good.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A7

Caol Ila 35 YO Special Releases 2018, OB, 58.1%, B:2018, 3276 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Mellow to very complex, complex, peaty, moderately floral and smoky, slightly mineral, on dry and meaty peat smoke, dried fruits, some exotic fruits, light mineral flavours, and a touch of mint. Very complex and enjoyable.
Taste: Complex, mellow, peaty, smoky, subtle, fruity, with some almonds, peat smoke, rich and rather intense spices, sweet exotic fruits, orange, dried fruits, tannins and wood. The finish is long, mellow, complex, subtle, on delicate slightly farmy peat smoke, dried fruits, exotic fruits, some almonds, dried fruits, camphor, iodine, menthol and spearmint.
Impression: An excellent Caol Ila, distilled in the early 1980s (1983 according the oral information received), with a mixture of American oak hogsheads and American and European oak butts. The peat smoke is complex, subtle and refined, slightly meaty as well, with some wood on the palate. The first time, I found it rather woody, but more pleasant the second time with some aeration. Not the most intense whisky, but elegant and complex. For the other special releases 2018, will see if I can find samples of them.
Rating: 18/20 FP:G4

Glenrothes 1997, 9 YO, Whisybase, 58.8%, B:2017, sherry cask 15404. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral, fragrant, with lots of toffee and fudge, and an intense fragrance.
Taste: Floral, fragrant, on hay, straw, vanilla and some toffee. The finish is medium, round, on almond, vanilla, freshly cut flowers, some green and grassy aromas, as well as some ripe pears. Diluted, it becomes more on green chestnut, toffee and cream.
Impression: A very good, fresh, floral and creamy whisky, with a pleasant mouth feel.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

17 Sep

Myths and Legends Unicorn 1988, CWS 53.6%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Round, mellow, complex to very complex, with a moderate dry and elegant peat smoke and very elegant floral flavours. I loved the balance of flavours.
Taste: Complex to very complex, elegant, slightly to moderately peaty, mineral and tarry, on guava, papaya, some banana, dry and mineral peat smoke, some melon, tar, and honey. The finish is long, slightly dry, peaty, mineral and tarry, with some leather, orange, tangerines, pralines, exotic fruits, heather honey, and melon. Diluted, it becomes slightly more austere and with more gooseberries.
Impression: The Unicorn is a peated bottling of Macallan. Except for some bottlings distilled prior to the 1950s, I never had the chance of tasting a peated expression from that distillery. I do not know how the CWS managed to get hold of this cask, but I love this one. The peat smoke reminds me of the famous Macallan 1946, with light to moderate peat smoke, combining some austere, mineral and tarry flavours. In addition, it has light pleasant aromas of exotic fruits. Although it is from a first fill sherry influence, the influence of the sherry is rather mild and on dried fruits. This might not be the flavour profile that you might expect from this distillery, but I love this combination of flavours. Thank you Derek.
Rating: 18/20 FP:C4

Macallan 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, round, floral, slightly fragrant and spicy, with lots of caramel.
Taste: Floral to very floral, slightly fragrant and spicy, on caramel, some orange, tangerine, and toffee. Diluted, it becomes rather thin, more floral and on caramel. The finish is medium, floral, round to very round, with light spices, some tannins, toffee, orange, cinnamon, cloves, nuts and a very light fragrance. The bitter caramel flavours are rather pronounced.
Impression: A rather smooth and floral whisky, with lots of caramel, light spicy flavours and some complexity. Compared to earlier versions of a decade ago, it appears much softer, less spicy and intense.
Rating: 12/20 FP:G1

Glenallachie 1990 50th Anniversary, 28 YO, OB, 57.7%, B:2018, cask 986. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Vegetal, floral and with an abundance of vegetal condiments (Maggi). Unusual.
Taste: Floral, rich, intense, rather tannic and vegetal, with lots of vegetal condiments, on fragrant flowers, nuts, rubber, tannins, bitter coffee and some dried fruits. The finish is medium, floral, spicy, vegetal, rather dry, on tannins, coffee beans and dried fruits.
Impression: A different expression of Glenallachie than the others, with a very vegetal side and quite dry and tannic.
Rating: 12/20 FP:H1

16 Sep

Bunnahabhain 2007 Oloroso Moine Feis Ile 2018, OB, 59.5%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very peaty and maritime, intense to very intense, with lots of seaweeds, on a fatty and intense peat smoke, sultanas, some figs, candied orange, light salty and medicinal flavours. Very good!
Taste: Very intense and peaty, thick, syrupy, salty to very salty, maritime to very maritime, on fresh rubber, red berries, treacle, high grade leather, some tar, candied orange, light floral and aromatic herbs, liquorice and dry and bitter tannins. The finish is long, bitter, fragrant, salty, maritime, slightly astringent and rubbery, on varnish, lacquer, plums, sultanas, candied oranges, liquorice and tarry peat smoke
Impression: I loved the round, thick, and heavily sherried nose with loads of peat, the palate was rather good, however, I found it too bitter on the finish.
Rating: 14/20 FP:H7

Laphroaig PX Sherry 2015 for CWS, 12 YO, OB, 55.3%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round, peaty, maritime, rather sweet and medicinal, on seaweeds, camphor, iodine, peat smoke, various medicinal flavours, grapes, orange, sultanas, and some exotic fruits. Rather complex and elegant.
Taste: Peaty, dry, tarry, maritime, phenolic, on lacquer, seaweeds, sea salt, orange, rubber, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, aromatic herbs, tar, sultanas and marmalade. The finish is long, intense, thick, syrupy, peaty, smoky, maritime, slightly salty, on sultanas, lacquer, cloves, liquorice, some marmalade, rubber, iodine, orange, seaweeds, sea brine and aromatic herbs, as well as some dry tannins.
Impression: A very good Laphroaig, with a very intense and thick sherry influence, a strong medicinal influence as well as dried fruits, lacquer and spices, without any unpleasant rubbery flavours. I would not be surprise with a few years in a bottle, that it would be a stunner. I wish Laphroaig would bottle more sherry casks like this one! Thank you Derek.
Rating: 16/20 FP:H7

15 Sep

Ben Nevis 1991, 25 YO, OB, 61.3%, B:2017, Oloroso cask 3711. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Mellow, very smooth, deliciously sweet and fruity, on orange, peach, tangerine, dried fruits, exotic fruits and some leather. With time, it becomes more on mango and other tropical fruits. Excellent.
Taste: Rich, spicy, slightly floral, intense, on tangerine, orange, rich spices, vanilla, some fudge and exotic fruits. The finish is long, rich, mellow, complex, slightly citric, and rather fruity, on grapefruit, some tangerine, peach, apricot and light aromas of exotic fruits. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on toffee and with a light smokiness.
Impression: An excellent rich, complex, fruity and well-balanced whisky, with a mixture of tropical and citric fruits.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G2

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2018, 51.8%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Young, peaty, maritime, smoky, rather clean and dry, on dry winey flavours (fino), seaweeds, peat smoke and some tar.
Taste: Dry, young, smooth, salty, tarry, peaty, rather maritime, on iodine, peat smoke, camphor, sea brine, seaweeds and a combination of smooth and young whisky flavours and dry winey flavours. Diluted, it is more on menthol. The finish is short to medium, smooth, young, dry, winey, peaty, smoky, maritime, on peat smoke, lemon, dry fino influence, some sea brine and seaweeds.
Impression: A Laphroaig taste rather young, with a mixture of flavours from a young whisky and dry fino flavours. I wish they would release some older fino bottling of Laphroaig.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D6

12 Sep

Bowmore Single Cask 1997 for CWS, OB, 54.4%, B:2017, 231 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber-dark amber
Nose: Intense to very intense, tick, peaty, smoky, slightly maritime and medicinal, on peat smoke, tar, treacle, dried fruits, some wallnuts and soots. Excellent. Markedly more peaty and tarry than the Feis Ile.
Taste: Floral, round, maritime, tarry, slightly salty, woody and bitter, on liquorice (black and roots), sea salt, dried fruits, some slightly bitter herb liquor, walnuts, sultanas, dates, red berries, old bonfire smoke, old tar and soot. The finish is medium, rather floral, slightly salty, smoky, peaty, tarry, bitter and tannic, on old wood, peat smoke, walnuts, dry peat smoke, some sea brine, dried fruits and liquorice. Diluted, it becomes more bitter and on wood.
Impression: A single cask of Bowmore, on dark sherry, with an excellent peaty and dry nose, while it becomes bitterer and with a rather strong influence of the wood on the palate and finish. A sherry monster.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G4

Bowmore 15 YO Oloroso Sherry Cask for Feis Ile 2018, OB, 52.5%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Thick, rich, syrupy, balanced, with loads of dried fruits, including dates, and sultanas, on treacle, some peat smoke, tar and bonfire smoke. Very good!
Taste: Dry to very dry, tarry, sooty, slightly maritime and salty, rather medicinal, on camphor, seaweeds, peat smoke, lots of tar, cocoa, dried fruits, orange, some berries and nuts. The finish is long to very long, peaty to very peaty, smoky, slightly dry, tarry and bitter, with a mixture of tar, peat smoke, treacle, dark fruits and chocolate, as well as some liquorice (black and roots).
Impression: An excellent Bowmore, peaty, intense, complex, with a lovely combination of cocoa, dry tarry peat smoke and dried fruits.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G5

11 Sep

Auchentoshan 1990 for CWS, 27 YO, OB, 59.1%, B:2018, 512 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Mellow, fruity, floral, grassy, complex, sweet and dried fruits, some leather and soft spices. Very elegant and well balanced.
Taste: Rich, spicy to very spicy, intense, slightly tannic, with lots of sultanas, on figs, dates, tangerine, orange, precious wood, cinnamon, and some cloves. The finish is medium to long, rich, fruity, rather heavy, with lots of dried fruits, some orange, cocoa, exotic fruits and roasted coffee beans. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter, but also more on orange and exotic fruits.
Impression: A very good Auchentoshan, with intense fruity sherry influence, lots of dried fruits and a lovely mouth feel. A very nice pick from the CWS.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G1

Linkwood 39.166 for Whisky L, A truly engaging experience, 27 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 56.6%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Mellow, fruity to very fruity, floral, grassy, on honey, melon, guava, papaya, some vanilla and candied fruits. A basket of exotic fruits. Lovely!
Taste: Floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, with light spices, on hay, straw, tobacco, guava, honey, and a basket of exotic fruits. The finish is medium to long, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, with some hay, honey, chamomile and exotic fruits. Diluted, there are some additional flavours of menthol and eucalyptus released.
Impression: The nicest recent bottling of Linkwood I have tasted, with the nice floral and slightly fragrant flavour from Linkwood and very pleasant fresh exotic fruit flavours. Most enjoyable. Thank you Derek.
Rating: 17/20 FP:D1

10 Sep

Edradour 1995 for Whisky L, 13 YO, OB, 54.2%, B:2018, 661 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber-dark amber
Nose: Very round and mellow, thick, floral, complex, rather heavy, with on high grade leather, dried fruits, plums, sultanas, precious wood, wood spices, wild berries, light floral flavours, some treacle and burnt sugar. Excellent.
Taste: Very floral, round, intense, complex, thick, heavy, on high grade leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, precious wood, dried fruits, sultanas, treacle, orange, tangerine, dark berries, some other fruity flavours, and nice tannins The finish is long, thick, syrupy, heavy, floral and on the same flavours as on the palate. Diluted, it becomes moderately bitter, on dark chocolate and with more tannins.
Impression: An excellent Edradour, rich, intense, heavy, floral, with dark and dried fruits. This is a style of heavy sherry that I love. It reminds me the old style of sherried Macallan. Just slightly too bitter at the end to reach a higher score. If you like heavily sherried whiskies, you have to try these Edradour. Thank you Derek.
Rating: 17/20 FP:I1

Aultmore 1996 Exceptional Cask Series for CWS Madeira finish, OB, 21 YO, 54%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very mellow, elegant, complex, fresh, rather fruity and juicy, nice round floral flavours, some sultanas, dried fruits, berries, exotic fruits, precious wood and some soft spices. Excellent,
Taste: Rich, intense, floral to very floral, on dry spices, sultanas, precious wood, exotic fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, leather, and tannins some cloves, dark chocolate and treacle. The finish is medium to long, rich, fruity, floral, slightly tannic and bitter, on tannins, leather, spices, orange, sultanas, figs, some exotic fruits, honey and dark chocolate.
Impression: Another very good bottling from CWS. The nose of this whisky was excellent, mellow, elegant and gorgeous exotic fruits, a most pleasant mouth feel, with the winey tending to dominate these fruity flavours. I wish I could taste more Aultmore of this quality. The finish is was 9 years. Thank you Derek.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G1

09 Sep

Glen Garioch 1979 for CWS, OB, 42.9%, B:2018, cask 3831, 114 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Peaty, dry, aromatic, moderately floral, slightly green and woody, on dry tarry peat smoke, juniper, heather, geraniums, cocoa, aromatic and slightly bitter herbs, some soot, old leather and burnt heather. Much more peaty than the 1987!
Taste: Dry, floral, fragrant, nutty, rather bitter, tarry and woody, with a light soapiness, on walnuts, rancio, leather, tar, soot, aromatic herbs, burnt juniper bushes, geranium, cranberries and some red and slightly bitter berries. The finish is medium, dry, peaty, tarry, nutty, floral to very floral, fragrant, moderately woody, on walnuts infusion, Pu-Erh tea, old leather, aromatic herbs, cocoa and some soap. Diluted, it becomes more bitter, soapy and dry.
Impression: Glen Garioch from the 1970s were known for its peatiness, and even if the peat level went down during that decade, this one is rather peaty. I am struggling in this whisky with the balance between the dry peat smoke and the fragrant floral flavours, and a rather dry sherry influence. Not an easy one, but my wife liked it very much. Looking back at my tasting notes, it was my first Glen Garioch from 1979, and it might well be the first official 1979 Glen Garioch ever bottled! Thank you Derek.
Rating: 13/20 FP:H5

Glen Garioch 1987 for CWS, OB, 47.1%, B:2018, cask 603, 132 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, round, slightly peaty, aromatic, grassy and herbal, on high grade leather, nuts, cocoa, some Swiss milk chocolate, nice round floral flavours, some heather honey, treacle and sultanas. Complex and well balanced. Lovely!
Taste: Very floral, rather fragrant, round, on dried fruits, sultanas, a light smokiness, raisins, coca, leather, hot chocolate and some hazelnuts. Diluted, it becomes more fragrant and with some varnish. The finish is medium to long, thick, rich, floral, syrupy, and slightly grassy, on dried fruits, sultanas, nuts, treacle, leather and cocoa.
Impression: Not the easiest Glen Garioch! A whisky difficult to judge. In the early and mid-1980s, Glen Garioch produced a very floral and fragrant distillate, including some terrible ones (e.g., the 1984 OB). This one shares the floral and fragrant profile of this period, but the cask brings a very nice sherry influence on cocoa and high-grade leather, and a lovely nose. A very good and floral expression of Glen Garioch. Thank you Derek.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G2

Port Askaig 45 YO, Speciality Drinks, 40.8%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very fruity, maritime, slightly austere, on banana, with some aromatic herbs, eucalyptus, exotic fruits and a nice fruitiness. Lovely.
Taste: Very mellow and smooth, rather fresh, slightly maritime, on old tobacco leaves, balsamic vinegar, tannins, leather, humidor, orange, cinnamon, some nutmeg, cloves and walnuts. The finish is long, slightly smoky, maritime and tannic, on old leather, tobacco quid, balsamic vinegar, orange, bloody orange, some tangerine, cinnamon, nuts and a few drops of exotic fruits. Diluted, it becomes slightly more tannic and bitter.
Impression: The Port Askaig 45 was a Bunnahabhain distilled in 1968. A very good old sherry whisky. It would have even reached a higher score if it was slightly more intense.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F1

01 Sep

Peat, Elements of Islay, 59.3%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, maritime, medicinal, on seaweeds, camphor, iodine, peat smoke, hemp rope and some liquorice roots.
Taste: Very dry and peaty, smoky to very smoky, rooty, maritime, on dry to very dry peat smoke, dry roots, some disinfectant, camphor, seaweeds, a touch of gentian and dry aromatic herbs. The finish is long, peaty to very peaty, medicinal, on disinfectant, iodine, lemon peel, and tobacco smoke. Diluted, the finish is longer., with a lingering, intense peat smoke, rather medicinal and on disinfectant,
Impression: A vey peaty, intense and medicinal whisky, with a nice complexity. Lovely! A very good blended malt.
Rating: 17/20 PA:A7

Ledaig 2007, 11 YO, Adelphi, 63.3%, B:2018, cask 800001. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, very peaty, fatty, maritime, moderately meaty, with some game, air dried bacon, seaweeds, maritime peat smoke, as well as some dried fruits and leather. With time, it becomes rounder and fruitier. Lovely.
Taste: Intense, fresh, round, very fruity, peaty, maritime, slightly meaty, on sea brine, stewed fruits, orange, leather, sultanas, some exotic fruits and a nice maritime peat smoke, with some leather. Diluted, it becomes sweeter and more sugary. The finish is medium to long, round, sweet, fruity, peaty, on a fatty peat smoke, sweet and candied oranges, some leather, sultanas, dates, exotic fruits and nice spices.
Impression: On the nose, it is rather peaty, maritime and meaty, and it becomes rounder and fruitier on the palate, with the peat smoked made slightly intense by the round sweet fruity flavours. Very good.
Rating: 16/20 PA:G6

24 Aug

Glenlivet 2007 for Whisky Live 2017, Signatory, 66.6%, B:2017, cask 900188, 343 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, complex, elegant, rich, floral, slightly spicy, on exotic fruits, orange, some cinnamon, light aromatic flavours and a touch of mint. Very good and nicely balanced.
Taste: Very floral, spicy, sweet, fruity, slightly green and round, on various spices, cinnamon, sultanas, dried fruits, orange, some red berries, leather, chocolate, a hint of smoke. Diluted, it becomes spicier, with some curcuma and cardamom. The finish is medium to long, rich, intense, spicy to very spicy, floral to very floral, on cinnamon, pepper, sultanas, leather, orange, some marmalade, treacle, cocoa and a touch of rubber. Diluted, it becomes smoother and richer.
Impression: A very good, rich, spicy and floral whisky, with a most pleasant richness and spiciness.
Rating: 17/20 PA:F1

Kavalan Solist 2010 Port Cask for the Seven Virtues of Bushido, OB, 59.4%, B:2017, cask 0100505013A. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, complex, intense, well balanced, slightly aromatic and austere, some dry winey flavours, a light sweetness and on aromatic herbs. Excellent.
Taste: Rich, sweet, slightly sugary, fruity to very fruity, aromatic, with light bitter aromatic herbs, some light winey flavours and a very good complexity, with various fruity flavours. The finish is medium to long, rich, complex, very balanced, on aromatic and slightly austere flavours, aromatic herbs, light dry winey flavours and some soft spices.
Impression: A very good whisky, complex and well balanced, with aromatic and slightly austere flavours that you usually find in very old whiskies. Most enjoyable and one of the best Port matured whisky I have tasted.
Rating: 17/20 PA:F1

Redbreast 32 YO Dream Cask, OB, 46.5%, B:2018, cask 41207. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very mellow and fruity, round, complex to very complex, on exotic fruits (mainly mango), high grade leather, some tannins, honey, peach and polished oak. Excellent!
Taste: Gorgeous! Very mellow, round, on exotic fruits (mango, banana and papaya), leather, tannins, cinnamons, some peach, nutmeg and liquorice roots. The finish is long, slightly woody and tannic, on exotic fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, old furniture and wax. Diluted, it becomes slightly more tannic.
Impression: The nose of this Redbreast was delicious, very mellow and with beautiful flavours of exotic fruits. On the palate, it stated on the same pleasant flavours, before the impact of the long wood maturations starts to kick in. If not, it would have reached a higher score.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G1

Kavalan Sherry Solist 2008 for CC Choice, OB, 56.3%, B:2017, cask S081229033. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Floral, vegetal, round, with strong aromas of vegetal condiment (Maggi), on broth, tannins, leather, orange, cinnamon and some sea salt.
Taste: Rich, dry, floral, tannic, bitter, rather astringent, on dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, marmalade, cloves and old precious wood. The finish is long, complex, dry, floral, tannic, slightly bitter and rather astringent, on cinnamon, cloves, marmalade and old wood. Once water has been added, there is a whiff of freshly burnt rubber.
Impression: An intense and complex sherry matured, with rather strong woody and tannic flavours. A very good whisky but that probably stayed too long in the wood.
Rating: 14/20 FP:J1

Ben Nevis 1997 MCCRAES, 18 YO, Hunter Laing, 55.4%, B:2016, cask HL12157, 415 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Spicy, rich, floral, slightly vegetal and smooth, on tannins, leather, dried fruits, sultanas, some vegetal condiment, orange and fudge. Well balanced and with light fruity flavours. With time, it becomes more grassy.
Taste: Floral to very floral, slightly fragrant and bitter, syrupy to very syrupy, on caramel, toffee, freshly cut fragrant flowers, some treacle, orange, banana and milk chocolate. The finish is medium to long, very floral, fragrant, rather syrupy, on hay, freshly cut flowers, caramel, orange, leather, cinnamon and some dark chocolate.
Impression: A very floral whisky, with a syrupy mouth feel, as well with some fragrance and freshly cut flowers and grass. A rather atypical whisky from that distillery.
Rating: 12/20 FP:G1

05 Aug

Mars Shinshu Peated 2013, 3 YO, Blackadder, 61%, B:2016, cask 1647, 239 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very peaty, farmy, meaty, smoky to very smoky, maritime, on dry meat, seaweeds, peat smoke, light farmy and aromatic flavours, as well as some iodine and disinfectant. Very good!
Taste: Light, peaty to very peaty, maritime to very maritime, on seaweeds, lemon peel, camphor, some hemp smoke and liquorice roots. The finish is medium to long, intense, light, very peaty, maritime, on kippers, peat smoke, seaweeds, camphor, iodine, hemp rope, lemon and light vanilla flavours.
Impression: A very good and very peaty whisky, quite maritime and with some hemp rope. I liked it very much. For being only 3 years old, it is rather impressive.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A8

Glengoyne 1988 for Taiwan, 28 YO, OB, 51.1%, B:2016, cask 835, 574 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very fruity, smooth, mellow to very mellow, slightly floral and malty, on soft spices, exotic fruits, papaya, and a touch of humus.
Taste: Rich, spicy, soft, gently, slightly tannic, on mango, papaya, other exotic fruits, some humus, light earthy flavours, and tobacco leaves. Diluted, it becomes more spicy, but also sweeter and fruitier, with more exotic fruits and slightly more earthy flavours as well. The finish is medium, mellow to very mellow, smooth, with light spices and soft tropical fruits.
Impression: A very mellow and sweet fruity whisky. I enjoyed the exotic fruity flavours very much, but it wished they were most intense, as the whole is rather soft.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E1

Glenfarclas 15 YO, OB, 46%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, floral, on summer flowers, some honey and lemon.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, light, floral, slightly fragrant and malty, on ginger, some pepper, marmalade, freshly cut flowers, lemon, honey and a touch of hazelnuts. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, rather light, bitter, fragrant, with some malty, creamy and freshly cut flowers flavours, as well as some caramel. Diluted, it becomes more fragrant and bitter.
Impression: A floral and fragrant whisky, with quite some spices. With nice intense floral flavours.
Rating: 15/20 A1

Glenfarclas 21 YO, OB, 43%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, rather fragrant and light to moderately nutty, with some orange peel and various spices, as well as some toffee.
Taste: Juicy, grassy, slightly waxy, floral, on cooked fruits, apples, ginger, some quince, honey, aromatic herbs, marmalade, bitter orange and toffee, with light austere flavours. The finish is long, intense, rather complex, floral, slightly spicy and austere, with some aromatic flavours, marmalade, orange peel and a few dried fruits in the background.
Impression: A very good sherried whisky, with a rather aromatic and austere flavours profile. Well made and most enjoyable. The 21 YO has been always a favourite of the core range.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G1

Timorous Beastie Blended Malt, 18 YO, Douglas Laing, 46.8%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, fresh, light, grainy, mellow, slightly round and floral, with some porridge, pineapples and vanilla.
Taste: Very smooth, starchy, malty, floral to very floral, grainy, soft, on toffee, fudge and porridge, with some grassy and banana flavours. The finish is medium, soft, grainy, floral, slightly bitter, on vanilla, caramel, some banana and green flavours. Diluted, it becomes more green and bitterer.
Impression: A light, soft and rather "grainy" whisky, with some bitter caramel. Although it is a blended malt, it tasted like if there was a fair dose of grain whisky, as it was very smooth and rather soft.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

Port Charlotte (Bruichladdich Heavy Peated Type) 2003 Sherry 10 Years TWA, 14 YO, The Whisky Agency, 52.9%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very peaty and intense, meaty, maritime, rubbery, on peat smoke, high grade rubber, nice meaty flavours (dried meat), some tar, burnt matches, and red berries. There are some sulphury and rubbery flavours, but not unpleasant and well integrated.
Taste: Round, sweet, maritime, slightly meaty, becoming smokier and peatier over time, on sultanas, fudge, candied oranges and tangerine, dried meaty flavours, some rubber, cloves, cinnamon, with a fair dose of seaweeds, iodine and other medicinal flavours. The finish is long, rich, sweet, maritime, smoky, peaty, slightly mellow and medicinal, on iodine, camphor, seaweeds, tangerine, orange, and some dried meat. Diluted, it becomes drier, more on leather, fudge, dried meat and some sea salt.
Impression: At first, I was slightly concerned about the rubbery and sulphury flavours, but they are well integrated on the nose and almost not noticeable on the palate and finish. The whisky is balanced, slightly mellow, with lovely meaty and fruity flavours, and elegant medicinal flavours. Very enjoyable. Thank you Carsten!
Rating: 15/20 FP:G6

Glen Moray 2001 A composition in wood 35.194, 16 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 59.8%, B:2017, 598 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-amber
Nose: Very acidic, on cheap balsamic vinegar, vegetamine and sulphur. Arghh…
Taste: Bitter, rubbery, acidic, yeasty, and very spirity. Diluted, it remains spirity, rubbery and sulphury. The finish is medium and on the same flavours, with more dried fruits.
Impression: A mixture of sulphur, yeast, rubber and cheap balsamic vinegar. On the palate, it is very spirit and burns the tongue, so you do not really feel the flavours. My worst Glen Moray so far…
Rating: 08/20 FP:J1

Omar Bourbon 2014, OB, 57.4%, 2017, cask 11140689, 220 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Extremely smooth, silky, with delicate and soft spices, some plums, cinnamon and light creamy flavours.
Taste: Floral, fragrant, smooth, spicy, oaky, with some peach, apricots, cinnamon, treacle and a touch of eucalyptus and bitter aromatic flavours. The finish is medium to long, aromatic, slightly austere, on aromatic herbs, peach, apricots, cinnamon and a touch of eucalyptus and a slight astringency.
Impression: A whisky with an extremely smooth nose, with a fair dose of apricots, while it becomes more aromatic and austere on the finish. Seems like a whisky that has matured quickly.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D1

Box Dálvve batch 4, OB, 46%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Dry, peaty to very peaty, tarry, maritime, with some humus, seaweeds, and a touch of menthol and camphor.
Taste: Dry, smoky, maritime, peaty, tarry to very tarry, on old peat smoke, vanilla, spearmint, some menthol and sea weeds. With a nice mellow peat smoke. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, bitter, slightly aromatic, on hops, peat smoke and some juniper.
Impression: A nice peaty and smoky whisky, rather oaky, and becoming quite bitter on the finish.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A3

05 Jul

Penderyn Rich Oak 2013, OB, 50%, B:2016, Cask D161. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, round, with lots of toffee and fudge, rather aromatic, slightly peaty and floral, with some vanilla and light austere and bitter herbs.
Taste: Grassy, smooth, mellow, aromatic, bitter, on aromatic and bitter herbs, gentian, bitter caramel, and some honey. The finish is medium, aromatic, slightly bitter, on aromatic herbs, some caramel, light grassy flavours as well as some quince, melon, and grapefruits.
Impression: A good whisky, close to the Gold Range, but more bitter and slightly drier.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B2

Oc 5, Elements of Islay, 59.8%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, peaty, slightly young, on dry bacon, dry peat smoke, light meaty flavours, some vanilla and light malty flavours. Over time, it becomes more complex.
Taste: Young, smooth to very smooth, on dry peat smoke, tar, charcoal, some iodine, cooked apples and bacon. The finish is medium, smooth, on dry peat smoke, some iodine, dry bacon, menthol and some cooked apples.
Impression: Although it was distilled in 2011, I find it still slightly young, but with nice dry peat smoke and medicinal flavours, as well as a nice smooth mouth feel. A good expression of Octomore.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

Carsebridge 1974 10th Anniversary, 43 YO, The Whisky Agency, 46.4%, B:2018. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very mellow, smooth, fragrant, with some varnish, melon, vanilla, exotic fruits and a touch of mint.
Taste: Fresh to very fresh, fragrant to very fragrant, on cooked cereals, varnish, some melon, honey and peach. The finish is medium, fresh, fragrant, on varnish, vanilla, peach and some honey. Diluted, it becomes more grainy.
Impression: A fresh and fragrant grain whisky, with some varnish and fruity flavours. Thank you Carsten.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

30 Juin

Ardbeg 1965, 13 YO, Cadenhead’s, 46%, B:1978. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Clean, oaky, tarry, maritime, medicinal, floral, on seaweeds, bandages, old wet woods, camphor and burnt wood. With some surprising soft slightly floral flavours. Rather light and delicate.
Taste: Oaky, stinky, peaty, with an abundance of wet socks and some pears. The finish is unfortunately long and on the same flavours.
Impression: A flawed and unpleasant whisky on wet socks. Very expensive for what it is.
Rating: 07/20 FP:A5

29 Jun

Aberlour-Glenlivet Centenary Decanter 1958, 21 YO, OB, 80 Proof, B:1979. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Sweet, fruity, floral, mellow, round, slightly resinous and aromatic, with some orange, tangerine, mineral smoke and a touch of papaya.
Taste: Very smooth, mellow and sweet, fruity, spicy, slightly peppery, on delicate floral flavours, some bitter orange, leather, ripe tangerine, cinnamon and a touch of high grade leather. The finish is rather short, mellow, smooth to very smooth, creamy, on honey, some tangerine, orange, soft spices and melon. Diluted, it becomes very weak.
Impression: A nice Aberlour, with a sweet, floral and mellow nose, remarquably smooth and mellow on the palate and although it was bottled at 80 proof (46%), it is rather weak.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E2

Islay Caol Ila 2009, Bar du Nord, 59.9%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Straw-pale gold
Nose: Intense to very intense, slightly young and smooth, fresh, peaty to very peaty, salty, on seaweeds, sea salt, kipper, tar, iodine and light aromas of vanilla.
Taste: Young smooth, intense, salty, lemony, maritime to very maritime, on peat smoke, tar, liquorice roots, camphor, seaweeds and lemon juice. The finish is medium to long, intense to very intense, peaty, maritime to very maritime, smoky to very smoky, on liquorice roots, tar, camphor, peat smoke, seaweeds, and iodine.
Impression: Slightly young and smooth on the nose, peaty to very peaty and with a remarkable intensity on the palate, with a strong maritime influence, on iodine and camphor.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A7

Amrut Greedy Angels, 8 YO, OB, 50%, B:2017, 1350 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, bold, malty, fruity to very fruity, on apricots, peach, exotic fruits, some blackcurrant and other berries. Smells like an Irish single malt.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, starchy, bold, slightly spicy, fruity, rich, with some toffee, orchard and exotic fruits, mango, papaya, cinnamon and other spices. The finish is long, smooth to very smooth, fruity, bold, slightly creamy, and aromatic, some aromatic herbs, citrus, orchard and exotic fruits, with light and various spices. Diluted, there is some coffee, light aromatic flavours and it is slightly smoky as well.
Impression: A smooth, mellow and rather bold whisky, with a nice fruitiness, including light citric flavours. Tasting almost like an Irish single malt. Tasted blind
Rating: 16/20 FP: C1

Paul John Classic Select Cask, OB, 55.2%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, round, complex, intense, fruity to very fruity, on vanilla, honeydew melon, quince, Mirabelle, some honey, banana, mango and other exotic fruits.
Taste: Rich, mellow, spicy, complex, on apples, juicy oaky, honey, freshly cut grass, mango and orchard fruits, with a hint of smoke. The finish is medium, mellow to very mellow, slightly green and fruity, on honey, Mirabelle, quince, juicy oak, apples and some exotic fruits. Diluted, it becomes rounder and more nutty.
Impression: A very good, pleasant, mellow and round whisky. Well made and rather complex.
Rating: 14/20 FP: B2

Amrut 2011 PX Sherry Exclusively Bottled for Hot Malt, OB, 56.5%, B:2016, cask 4122. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Spicy to very spicy, very vegetal, salty, with loads of vegetal condiment (Maggi), as well as some toffee and humus. Original.
Taste: Dry, austere, aromatic, floral, spicy, vegetal, on coffee, roasted coffee beans, dry nutty flavours, old dried meat (Graubündner dried meat), and vegetal condiment. The finish is medium to long, dry to very dry, floral, nutty, vegetal, on tannins, cloves, dry leather, sweet liquorice, light dry aromatic and slightly bitter flavours, bitter orange, coffee beans and some eucalyptus. Diluted, it becomes more on toffee and fudge, as well as slightly salty and creamy.
Impression: Initially very spicy and vegetal on the nose, it is a rather dry, floral, spicy whisky on the palate, on tannins and with more toffee on the finish, especially once water has been added.
Rating: 16/20 FP: H1

Sandy Ross Old Blended Malt, OB, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Grainy, smooth to very smooth, on cooked cereals, some starch, a light smokiness, light sugary and fruity flavours.
Taste: Very smooth, peaty, smoky, grainy, slightly salty and fruity, with some wax, camphor, Mirabelle, quince, tangerine and a touch of iodine and sugar. Diluted, it becomes slightly sweeter. The finish is medium, sweet, grainy, moderately smoky and peaty, slightly salty and mineral, with some tar, soot, quince, Mirabelle, tangerine, some humus and wax.
Impression: A blended whisky that started rather grainy on the nose, before becoming more intense, sweeter and smokier on the palate. Thank you Nicolas.
Rating: 13/20 FP: D3

Ardmore 1996, 20 YO, OB, 49.3%, B:2017. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, aromatic, intense, slightly maritime and tarry, on a mixture of aromatic, tarry and dry peat smoke, seaweeds, aromatic herbs and some vanilla.
Taste: Grassy, oaky, dry, peaty, aromatic, dry, tarry, maritime, slightly citric, on aromatic peat smoke, some camphor, iodine, rather pronounced oak spices, sea salt, and bitter lemon. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly dry and citric, moderately peaty, with some tarry and aromatic peat smoke, as well as a twist of bitter lemon. Diluted, it becomes bitterer.
Impression: A rather special Ardmore, with a nice and intense peaty nose, slightly maritime and with some citrus on the palate. Matured in a first fill cask and then finished in ex-Islay cask. The influence of the ex-Islay is noticeable and shows some contrast with the aromatic peat smoke from Ardmore. Fairly price (under 100 euros)
Rating: 14/20 FP: A4

03 Jun

Ben Nevis 1973, 26 YO, OB, 52.7%, B:1999, cask 747, 232 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very round and mellow, complex, intense, slightly grassy and sweet, on cooked cereals, peach, apricots, tangerine, heather honey, exotic fruits and some marzipan. Very good and rich.
Taste: Intense, fruity to very fruity, with loads of pineapples, on exotic fruits, cinnamon, orange, some tangerine and nutmeg, as well as canned (tinned) peaches. Well balanced and complex. Diluted, it becomes slightly smokier, with more tobacco and cooked cereals. The finish is medium to long, mellow, very smooth, slightly sweet, on cooked cereals, light spices, some cinnamon, dry leather, melon and pineapples.
Impression: A very good, well-balanced and complex Ben Nevis, with nice exotic fruits and pineapples.
Rating: 16/20 FP: E2